Among the six honorees from across the country is the oldest Black-owned barbecue restaurant in Chicago, Lem’s Bar-B-Q.

America’s Classics honors "locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal" — and mark the real start of Beards season.

The James Beard Foundation Awards, considered the Oscars of the U.S. culinary community, have three phases. The first is the naming of semifinalists, also known as the long list, which is where we are at. The shortlist of finalists, or nominees, will be announced April 2. Winners are revealed at a ceremony in Chicago on June 10.

James Beard semifinalist chef Rob McDaniel and his wife Emily will open their upscale seafood restaurant in downtown Birmingham in early March. Bayonet, which is directly adjacent to Helen, will open March 10. While their restaurant Helen is known for its contemporary Southern cuisine, Bayonet is a spirited raw bar and seafood concept.

Sullivan’s Castle Island a summer favorite known for its hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream has been named a James Beard America’s Classics Award winner for 2025.

Dooky Chase's Restaurant is among six winners of the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics award. America's Classics awards recognize independent restaurants, particularly long-standing ones, that are notable contributors to their community's food, culture and traditions.

LeBron James and his son, Bronny, were named in a lawsuit claiming they crashed into two people on a Los Angeles-area highway in 2022. The paper sarcastically lauded the vice president as having “really done Ohio proud.” The late night host mocked the president over the latest DOGE stunt.

Whether rain, sleet, or snow may fall, people are always waiting in line for rib tips and hot links at Lem's Bar-B-Q. The South Side staple, located at 311 E. 75th St. in the Chatham neighborhood, has been around for seven decades.